Can a stomach bug last two weeks?

[Jennielouises]

My son has had loose stools for two weeks now. Two weeks ago he had watery stools once (on the Monday), then was sick once on the Friday, had a fever and viral rash Saturday and Sunday, then had four loose stools on the following Monday. Every other day he’s had loose stools once. Can a bug really last that long? No one else is ill.

He takes antibiotics regularly due to check issues and had just finished a weeks dose when this all started

Not the fever and vomiting, but the loose stools can be side effects of the antibiotics, which also kill off good bacteria in the gut. I don't think it's 100% proven that probiotics will help, but anecdotally we find Optibac helpful when this happens to our DCs.

How old is he? My son had rotavirus and that lasted for about 10 days, although it can go on longer than that for some. His symptoms started as vomiting at first, and then fever and diarrhoea afterwards. Diarrhoea lasted the longest.

We never caught it as most adults have had rotavirus during childhood.

Rotavirus can. I hope he’s ok. Ask the GP to send a stool sample and start him on some probiotics.

He’s 2.5 years. We sent the stool sample in a couple of days ago so waiting on the results. It didn’t start with vomiting though, it started with loose stools. Also, it’s not diarrhoea, it’s just mush.

I wondered this. But it’s been two weeks since he stopped which seems excessive

If he had the vaccine, the symptoms are not as bad. My son didn't have the vaccine due to a family member having chemo so he had full blown symptoms.

I'm sure there are probably some other viruses that can cause an upset stomach for a while though. Our stool test results took a week to come back btw, although I don't know if that's the norm.

My son had the vaccine and still had it badly, he was about 18 months. It went on for about a month.

Just had the results of the stool sample. It didn’t grow anything. But now they want to do another as forgot to test for c diff. They said it’s unlikely to be a virus if it’s lasted that long. I’m frustrated though as we’re no further along in helping him

I caught rota from my LO. Do not recommend it. Worse than norovirus (had that before Christmas).

Op: if they are sending off another sample testing for C diff, do push them to do virus testing too. Noro, rota and adeno are the three most common severe ones.

They told me it’s not possible to do virus testing

If you're going via the NHS in England, I am... Surprised... By that answer - because all these tests were done by the nearest big hospital for us. The GP did have to request them specifically and send off an extra poo sample. I'm sorry your GP isn't able/willing to help on that side of things :/

I might be wrong. They’ve given us three sample bottles. One for c diff, one that says faecal pcr and another that says calprotectin levels. I think PCR does viruses

Yeah PCR should be viruses. Fingers crossed your LO is better soon but also for an answer.

Thanks. DH is now feeling poorly so I’m thinking stomach bug